Bordeleau is making his NHL debut.. Gushchin is on his way to San Jose to make his pro debut (AHL).. Ozzy is patiently waiting (rehab) and Coe is soon to follow (101 points in the OHL)...
I mean I dislike this teams decision on not rebuilding more but there are some very intriguing pieces in San Jose and on their way to the Cuda.

Nice debut for Merkulov.

Georgii Merkulov slows things down in the shootout and buries it for Providence. Sheesh. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/4s5AUS9pQC

— Bruins Network (@BruinsNetwork) April 17, 2022

First impressions of Georgii Merkulov— skilled player with a knack for creating when the puck is on his blade. A high-end goal scorer as a freshman, Merkulov can also thread the needle and deliver tape-to-tape passes with ease. Faster pace in the AHL suits him well. #NHLBruins

— Bruins Network (@BruinsNetwork) April 17, 2022

He's been talked about quite a bit by "prospect people". Made huge improvements this season, especially his defense got to a new level.



If his development continues this way and he gets a bit bigger and more physical, he could defiantly become a 3rd D-man.

16-year-old seasons: • Connor McDavid: 26G, 99PTS• Connor Bedard: 51G, 100PTS

— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) April 18, 2022

some people say Connor > Connor, but personally I say that Connor > Connor, or Connor = Connor tbh
up to you to figure out which connor is which

I can’t wait to see what he puts up in his draft year. Kid is ridiculous

Tip to becoming a good hockey player: Name it Connor

Looking forward to see who tanks the hardest for him as well

Buffalo, won't tank will finish 9th (good team but 2 good division). Get Bedard after jumping from 9-1 and then dominate the next year as Bedard is out 1C and scores 100 points in his first year (actually very possible if he's anything like Mcdavid).

I like the thought but I was more thinking along the lines of an Anaheim jump from maybe 7th or 8th to 1 for Bedard

It will be fun to figure out who plays center with Zegras McTavish and Bedard on the top two lines

Dream scenario: Either lottery win and draft Nemec at #2 or Jiricek in the 7-9 range and then Bedard next year. McTavish probably moves to Wing in that scenario.

Completely agree. That’s what I did with McTavish on a ACGM I’m messing around with

That would be nasty for the ducks but... Below is nasty

Peterka - Bedard - Quinn
Krebs - Cozens - Touch
Skinner - Thompson - Mitts
Asplund - Routsalainen - Rosen

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Power - Nemec
Johnson - Chesley

Levi
UPL

Love how both the Sabres and Ducks have such bright futures. You fans really deserve it after everything that has happened in the last 10+ years. And I kinda like the thought of the Sabres succeeding again.

I'd just love another star in SoCal, could grow the game even more. If Zegras' development continues to progress the way it has, it'll be great for the league to have a star player in a small market, especially a star with the personality he has. But if you can have Bedard on top of that...

Imagine this Top 9:
McTavish-Bedard-Terry
Pastujov-Zegras-Perreault
Tracey-Lundeström-Snuggerud/Colangelo

(I'd prefer to have Lundeström as the 4C long-term (except if he takes some more significant steps forward next season), but there's no one to fill that spot on the third line in the system.)

And this D:
Zellweger-Nemec
Fowler-Drysdale
Thrun-Helleson

And this tandem:
Dostál
Gibson

The Condors have signed National Champ Carter Savoie to an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. He'll join the team on Thursday. 📲 https://t.co/Gnu4rDGX2o#LetsGoOilers | #Condorstown pic.twitter.com/gNeaR6ZgAi

— Bakersfield Condors (@Condors) April 18, 2022

The Sharks have set a franchise record this year with 18 rookies playing this year, they’ve had a ton of moving parts and I hope these are lines the Sharks run next year which is quite reliant on rookies again. Which is another foggy year ahead:

Eklund - Hertl - Meier (rookie) + 2 stars
Bonino - Couture - Barabanov stop gap of vets
Gregor - Bordeleau - Dahlen (rookie) + 2 2nd years
Weatherby - Chmelevski - Coe (rookie) + 2 2nd years

Ferraro - Burns an actual good pair
Knyzhov - Karlsson (rookie basically) + offence
Hatakka - Merkley (basically two rookies/ 2nd years)

Reimer - Kahkonen vet + 2nd year

Scratches:
Vlasic
Simek
Balcers
Nieto

Trades:
Labanc (for 3rds)
Hill (for 3rds)

The Sharks have no money even with moving Labanc and Hill (all used on internal signings (ex: Ferraro, Dahlen, Barabanov, etc)). So, California is going to be another crapshoot next year in the Pacific. I have hope but low expectations.

I would just like a great pick this upcoming draft. But the Sharks are going to be a young team trying to make the playoffs next year, again.

Tank SZN is in full effect.
10 straight loses for the Sharks currently… yikes

Looking at his stats, he's going to wish he went to class pretty soon 💀 pic.twitter.com/R26hfQtL9l

— Koskidaddy (@fakenewsshater) April 18, 2022

@csick

I’m dead 💀

tyLer boucher

What a year for @Matthew_Knies! 👊 pic.twitter.com/GDIkRDR8l4

— The Gopher Way (@thegopherway) April 19, 2022

👏

Pontus Holmberg assigned to Marlies.

— Leafs Updates (50-20-6)-x (@Ieafsupdates) April 19, 2022

Excited to see him play with the Marlies

Honestly I would rather have him go to the Leafs and Abruzzese go be with the Marlies

As Holmberg at least has more experience being from the SHL vs. NCAA

Still on the fence about signing up for a Premium subscription? 🤔Now’s your chance! 👀These EP Premium features have been UNLOCKED 🔓 for you to try for free!🔗: https://t.co/GiNlKZcJlf pic.twitter.com/A3MH5FZQx3

— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) April 19, 2022

For those that don’t subscribe, a great way to get some insight on some prospects before the draft.

⚠️RECORD ALERT⚠️Jordan Dumais has tied a franchise record for most assists in a game with 6. Previously set by Jonathan Drouin and Maxime Fortier. #GoMooseGo

— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) April 19, 2022

Nobody should be surprised when he ends up going in the 2nd round and becomes a full time top 6 NHL Player.

Gannon Laroque says looks up to defensemen like Shea Weber, Drew Doughty and Roman Josi, takes a little bit from each of their games.

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) July 24, 2021

Laroque, 4th rounder, was called by some to be a reach (I know the broadcast I watched during the draft were shocked with the pick) - has had an incredible post draft year and is now on his way to SJ to make his pro debut in AHL.

His statline this year finished in the WHL at GP:63 G:10 A:42 PTS:52 PIM:71
(He had 7pts in 21 gp in the WHL his draft year. With 34pts being his career high set when he was 15..).

Here is a quote post selection:
"Reports I have read are not very favorable of Laroque as a future NHL player, so this pick appears to be more of a “6-2 defenseman with snarl lets hope he can become a shutdown defenseman” more than anything. Players can always succeed scouting reports though but one thing is for sure, he really needs to work on his skating to get anywhere.".

Whereas now, heres a quote from his coach/ gm that sums up his year pretty well:

“He is trustworthy. He makes high percentage plays, good decisions, it’s all about winning for him too,” said Royals Head Coach and General Manager Dan Price.

“It’s just the way he manages his ice and his recovery and his body. You know when he comes back to the bench after a shift, it’s like a couple of quick breaths, and he’s ready to go again.”